Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a press conference on March 29, 2013.

Hong Lei started the press conference with the following announcement:

At the invitation of the Chinese government, Her Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand will visit China from April 6 to 11.

Q: It is reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to offer sacrifices to the Yasukuni Shrine in late April and may pay homage to the Shrine this autumn. What is China's comment?

A: The Yasukuni Shrine issue is about whether Japan could face up to and reflect on its history of aggression and respect the feelings of people from the victimized countries including China. Only by facing squarely the past can Japan create the future. We hope Japan could earnestly honor its statements and commitments made so far on the historical issue and take concrete actions to win the trust of the international community.

Q: Tensions of the Korean Peninsula ratcheted up, as the US sent two B-2 stealth bombers to join its joint military drill with the ROK and the DPRK's supreme leader ordered the country's rocket units to be on standby to attack military bases of the US and the ROK. What is China's comment on the current situation of the Peninsula?

A: It serves the common interests and requires the common efforts of all relevant parties to safeguard peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. We call on relevant parties to keep calm, exercise restraint and make joint efforts to turn around the tense situation.

Q: The draft of Japan's Diplomatic Blue Book 2013 said that China's opaque way of military buildup and increasingly active maritime activities have raised concern among regional countries and the international community. Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies also released a report recently, citing a growing national strength as the reason behind China's assertiveness in its territorial disputes with neighbouring countries and calling for Japan's vigilance. What is China's comment?

A: China is a peace-loving country. We follow the path of peaceful development and pursue a national defense policy which is defensive in nature. It is rightful and reasonable for China to improve defense capabilities in accordance with national conditions so as to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Driven by ulterior motives, relevant country refuses to truly reflect on its crime of aggression, but is keen on hyping the so-called "China threat theory". We hope relevant country could increase the transparency of its own defense policy and do more that is conducive to state-to-state political and security mutual trust as well as regional peace and stability.

Q: The American Chamber of Commerce released a report on March 29, in which US enterprises in China claimed to be confronted with business secret theft. What is China's comment?

A: China has repeatedly expounded our position on the so-called cyber espionage. We oppose "presumption of guilt". It is irresponsible to make rash criticism against China without thorough investigation and solid evidence. We urge the US not to politicize the trade issue, stop hyping the cyber security issue and do more to promote mutual trust between China and the US.